The Facility: Topeka’s Ronald McDonald House is an eight-bedroom, historic home located near the city’s medical community (825 SW Buchanan Street).
The Living Space: It provides meals, family activities, peer support, resources for siblings, respite, laundry facilities and many other services to take care of families when they have a child who is ill or injured.
Eligibility: The house supports families of ill or injured children 21 years of age or younger who are receiving medical treatment at area hospitals.
1906–1910 | The Betts Era
General contractor and Kansas State Senator Joseph B. Betts builds the stunning home at 825 SW Buchanan Street for $20,000. Designed by architects Holland & Squires, the interior is crafted with premium golden oak, mahogany, and pine.
1914 | A Future Pioneer Moves In
Albert and Ellen (Ella) Neese purchase the estate. Their 14-year-old daughter, Georgia Neese (Clark Gray), moves into the home.
Notable Achievement: Georgia later becomes a banker, philanthropist, and the first female U.S. Treasurer (1949–1953) under President Truman. She resides in the home off and on until the late 1920s.
1952–1959 | Changing Hands
Following Ella Neese’s passing, the historic home transitions through several owners, eventually being purchased by State Supreme Court Justice Alfred Schroeder and his wife, Katherine.
1980 | Initial Spark
The very first feasibility study is conducted to evaluate the need for a Ronald McDonald House in Northeast Kansas.
1985 | Rising Need
Stormont Vail opens its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Recognizing the growing demand for family lodging, the Junior League of Topeka conducts a second feasibility study.
1986 | Planting the Roots
Articles of Incorporation are filed for Topeka’s Love for Children, the foundational organization behind Ronald Mcdonald House Northeast Kansas. Founding trustees include James & Bonita Garrett, Michelle Rorabaugh, Judy Megibow, Susan Fry, and Nancy Stone.
1987 | From Vision to Renovation
A 22-member board is established, with Kathleen Ruediger serving as the first president.
May: The organization purchases the 825 SW Buchanan Street residence along with three adjacent properties.
June: Major renovations begin to adapt the property into 10 guest rooms, adding private bathrooms, updated mechanical systems, and a new roof.
1988 | Doors Open & Recognition
January: A capital campaign successfully raises $500,000 toward a $1.2 million goal for construction and initial operations.
June 15: Ronald McDonald House Northeast Kansas officially opens! Carolyn Voth is named the first House Manager, offering rooms at a suggested donation of $8 per night. It becomes one of 112 Houses nationwide.
Fall: Historic Topeka honors the project with its Preservation Award for outstanding adaptive reuse of the historic residence.
1990 | Securing the Future
John Hayes (Chair of KPL Gas Service) spearheads a $1.1 million endowment campaign, highlighted by a Bob Hope benefit concert at Landon Arena.
1993 | Generosity Nationwide
The House surpasses 2,900 families served; suggested donation adjusts to $10 per night.
June: Joan Kroc generously donates 10,000 shares of McDonald’s stock to every Ronald McDonald House across the country.
1995 | Debt-Free Ahead of Schedule
The original $1.2 million mortgage is paid off 23 years early. To date, approximately 15,000 individuals from 4,000 families have found comfort at the House.
1996 | Organizational Unity
Topeka’s Love for Children officially merges with Ronald McDonald House Northeast Kansas. The global footprint grows to 127 Houses in the U.S. and 168 worldwide.
2003–2009 | Expansion & Accessibility
2003: The Joan Kroc estate leaves a massive $250,000 gift for operational funding.
2008: Ronald McDonald House Northeast Kansas celebrates 20 years of service (277 Houses worldwide; suggested donation becomes $15/night).
2009: The House officially becomes a Medicaid provider, easing the financial strain on even more families.
2013–2018 | Leadership & Anniversaries
2013: 25th anniversary milestone (Suggested donation becomes $25/night).
2015: The neighboring Lincoln House is removed. Mindee Reece steps in as the new CEO/Executive Director.
2018: The chapter proudly celebrates 30 years of providing accommodation, meals, and everyday support to remove barriers so families can remain actively involved in their child’s care.
2019 | Expanding Support Beyond the Walls
Skyrocketing NICU demands trigger family waitlists. RMHC adaptively responds by supplying pantry items directly to Stormont Vail to assist all NICU and PICU families.
2020 | Pivoting Through the Pandemic
April 25: COVID-19 safety measures force a temporary closure. Displaced families are housed safely at the Ramada Inn, fully funded by local donors.
June 8: The House successfully reopens under a comprehensive “Mission Forward Plan.”
2021 | Major Restorations
The communal kitchen is fully redesigned and named Josephine & Jane’s Kitchen in honor of Tom & Marilyn Dobski’s mothers, thanks to funding from the Dobski family.
The original first-floor historic hardwood floors are beautifully restored.
2024 | Modernizing the House
The Dobski family funds a complete front yard landscaping revitalization.
The house elevator undergoes critical modernization.
Mize CPAs donate new TVs for all eight guest rooms.
Critical care partnerships expand to include Children’s Mercy Topeka and Florence Crittenton Services.
2025 | Global 50th Anniversary & Local Upgrades
Ronald McDonald Northeast Kansas celebrates 50 years of global impact, expanding to over 655 family programs across 60+ countries.
Locally, Ronald Mcdonald House Northeast Kansas maintains its $25/night suggested donation while introducing a compassionate “Pay It Forward” option for families.
The facility adds an upgraded security system, a secure playground fence, and a full suite of brand-new toilets in all bathrooms, courtesy of Mize CPAs.
